Bi-Partisan Members of Congress support a free Iran at Capitol Hill event marking Nowruz, the Iranian New Year

Bi-Partisan Members of Congress support a free, democratic, secular, and non-nuclear republic Iran at Capitol Hill event marking Nowruz, the Iranian New Year

WASHINGTON, DC, USA, March 8, 2018 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Yesterday, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and 11 other bipartisan members of Congress joined Iranian American Community members and Congressional staffers at an event titled, “Iran Uprising and Nowruz 2018,” to celebrate the Iranian New Year. They expressed optimism that a new day is indeed coming for the people of Iran and expressed support for a free, secular, democratic, and nuclear Iran.

In her remarks, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi evoked the message of Nowruz: “In the spirit of hope and new beginnings, let’s pray for the rebirth of freedom and democracy in Iran. Let us commit ourselves to an ongoing fight for peace and justice in our communities around the world….What we want in Iran is a secular, non-nuclear, democratic Iran. And at the time of New Year, let us make that wish something that will come true soon.”

Held to also coincide with International Women’s day, the event moderator and OIAC Board member, Dr. Ramesh Sepehrrad said, “There is indeed a new day upon us. As our homeland is rising for another revolution, we stand with them in solidarity. As our homeland calls for down with Khamenei and down with Rouhani, we stand with them in solidarity. As our homeland shouts, ’Reformers, hardliners, your game is now over,’ we stand with them in solidarity.”

The Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee Chair, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) highlighted this year’s nationwide protests, “In many ways, it has been more important for the people of Iran than the 2009 uprisings, because these protests are really from the grassroots level. And this is about popular unrest with the regime, not about fighting within the regime. So, the widespread public discontent with the theocratic Islamist regime has shown that the tides are ready to change…We need to sanction more human rights abusers. We need to cut Iran off from the access to money that it uses to support terror...And we need to ensure that the people of Iran have access to the Internet and the ability to communicate amongst themselves.”

“Let me take this opportunity to say happy Nowruz,” said Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA). “This is not any Nowruz because this is the first Nowruz after the beginning of the ongoing protests in Iran, “I know that the quote Supreme Leader of Iran has come out and said that these protests are caused by the MEK.” “I do know that it is a supreme compliment to the MEK, any time you can be condemned by the Supreme Leader of Iran…that you are responsible for an uprising of the Iranian people. You should take that as an incredible compliment.”

Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC) highlighted bipartisan support for “the people of Iran,” and their aspiration for, “a secular, democratic, nonnuclear Republic.”

Referring to Iran uprising, The Europe, Eurasia and Emergying Threats Subcommittee Chair, Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) also predicted this year would be a great year for Iran and the global community. “This will be the year that the mullahs go back to the mosque and the people of Iran are freed from their tyrants. This will be a year that will be not just to the benefit of the people of Iran, but a year in which the people of the world will breathe a sigh of relief.”.

Rep. Tom McClintock (R-CA) added, “The Iranian people need more than our good wishes. They need direct satellite access to the Internet that the regime has denied them on the ground… [They] need us to restore economic sanctions against the regime and U.S. leadership in a renewed boycott of Iran, [and an] “unqualified support for the resistance movement in Iran.”

“My message to the people of Iran is look at this group that we have here,” said Rep. Albio Sires (D-NJ). “They haven’t given up on the country of Iran… We haven’t given up on the country of Iran. We want a free democratic Iran and for the people of Iran, it’s important that you do not lose faith, that you continue to work hard.”

Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN) congratulated the Iranian people and thanked the Iranian American Community for “continuing to raise your voices and articulate the issues that tell the rest of the world and Americans that indeed there is going to be change in Iran and that one day in the not too distant future there will be freedom and democracy there as there is in much of the rest of the world.”

Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-CA) said, “It is especially great to have this celebration in light of the remarkable protests we’ve seen this year across Iran…. the bravery and patriotism of those Iranians who courageously took to the streets to fight for democracy in Iran.”

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) said, “Like Democrats and Republicans, people across the ideological spectrum, I too, stand with the Iranian-American community in your desire for a democratic Iran, for a secular Iran, for an Iran that respects gender equality and allows for everyone to have the opportunity to pursue their god given talents and abilities and be the best that they can be.”

Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-GA) recognized the “struggle that’s been going on for a long time in Iran [by people] who are beginning to stand up now and say, we want our freedom.” “I want you to know that there are many of us here in Congress that stand with you, he added.”

Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-CA) celebrated the New Year with event participants expressing, “Solidarity with the Iranian people in order to promote democracy, in order to protect and pursue human rights and to hold all of those who are in violation of human rights accountable and for a nonnuclear Iran.”

March 20th is the first day of spring and marks the beginning of the Iranian Calendar year.

Dr. Majid Sadeghpour
Organization of Iranian American Communities-US (OIAC)
202-876-8123
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VOA report on OIAC Nowrouz event on Capitol Hill